The Project Gutenberg EBook of How to Teach Phonics, by Lida M. Williams

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Title: How to Teach Phonics

Author: Lida M. Williams

Release Date: April 4, 2006 [EBook #18119]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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=How to Teach
Phonics=

By

LIDA M. WILLIAMS

Primary Supervisor and Instructor of Methods,
Northern Normal and Industrial School,
ABERDEEN, SOUTH DAKOTA

HALL & MCCREARY COMPANY
CHICAGO

Copyright 1916, Hall & McCreary Company
P 2143
Printed in the U.S.A.

FOREWORD

Phonics is not a method of teaching reading, but it is _a necessary
part_ of every good, modern method. It is the key to word mastery, and
word mastery is one of the first essentials in learning to read. A
knowledge of the sounds of letters, and of the effect of the position of
the letter upon its sound, is an essential means of mastering the
mechanics of reading, and of enabling children to become independent
readers.

A knowledge of phonics not only gives power to pronounce new words, but
it trains the ear, develops clear articulation and correct enunciation,
and aids in spelling. Later, when diacritical marks are introduced, it
aids in the use of the dictionary. The habit of attacking and
pronouncing words of entirely new form, develops self-confidence in the
child, and the pleasure he experiences in mastering difficulties without
help, constantly leads to new effort.

The little foreigner, greatly handicapped where reading is taught by the
word and sentence methods only, begins on an equal basis with his
American neighbor, when the "Alphabet by sound" is taught.

In recent years only has the subject of phonics found a place on the
daily school program; and there is perhaps, no other subject on the
primary program so vaguely outlined in the average teacher's mind and
therefore taught with so little system and definite purpose.

The pre